In an emergency, always call 000 — this tool is not a substitute for medical care.

Tick Safety

An attached tick can look harmless and still need careful handling. Could this be a plausible tick attachment, and what's the safest action while you're unsure? That question matters more than getting an exact ID.

This page is not a diagnosis

A photo can't confirm attachment duration, whether anything was transmitted, or your allergy risk. If anaphylaxis signs appear — difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, dizziness, widespread hives — call 000 immediately, before attempting anything else.

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Australian Paralysis Tick

Ixodes holocyclus

HIGH RISK

Can cause tick paralysis, and its bite can trigger anaphylaxis in people with a tick allergy. Often attaches unnoticed and may be painless.

Where it may occur

Humid coastal eastern Australia. Habitat: Wet sclerophyll forest, rainforest edges, long grass, garden vegetation.

Do not approach / disturb

Check yourself, children and pets after bushwalks in tick habitat. Do not squeeze, pull or scratch at an attached tick — disturbing it can trigger a worse reaction.

If exposure is possible: Attached Tick (Paralysis Tick)

Do not squeeze, pull, or scratch at the tick — disturbing it can trigger a worse reaction.
If you have no history of tick allergy, use a tick-killing ether-containing spray or freeze it to kill it in place, then leave it to drop off naturally, following current Australian Government guidance.
If you have a known tick allergy, do not attempt removal yourself — seek medical care for removal.
Call 000 immediately for any signs of anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or widespread hives.
Watch for tick paralysis symptoms over the following days (unsteady gait, weakness, difficulty swallowing) and seek medical care if they appear.

What a photo cannot tell you

A photo can help confirm it's a tick, but it can't show how long it's been attached, whether anything has been transmitted, or your personal allergy risk.

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Guidance last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Healthdirect Australia — Tick bites, ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy) — Ticks. This is general information, not a substitute for professional medical care. In an emergency, always call 000.